Joan was born to Ellen “Pearl” Tobin McCrory and Philip James McCrory at Ravenswood Hospital in Chicago, IL on January 11, 1927. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Robert John Clifford, her parents, her sister Dorothy Jayne Kearney and brother-in-law Thomas Kearney. Joan is survived by her children Susan (Dan) Hill, Terrence Clifford, Patrick (Pam) Clifford, Sheila (Dave) Bach and Timothy Clifford. She considered her 12 grandchildren, Kelly (Nick) Berigan, Ryan Hill, John and Kyle Clifford, Bree, Lily, Joe and Mike Clifford, Bailey, Ian, Carl and Brendan Bach her gifts from God. Also, her dear nieces Diane Doyle and Marilyn Burke and their families. Joan attended Mundelein College in Chicago, IL. She worked as a Customer Service Representative at AT&T in Chicago before marrying Bob in 1952. Joan was a longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (50 years). She was a Eucharistic Minister, a Stephen Minister, she was one of the first members of the Tuesday morning Our Lady of Hope Prayer Group that started in 1973 and prayed for us all through many trials and tribulations. Joan committed to her 10am shift at the Adoration Chapel and she also had a very special devotion to St. Jude, whom she was constantly asking to watch over us. She was a member of the Slick Chicks bowling team and the IHM Women’s Golf League. Joan also volunteered at the gift shop at St. Mary’s (Mercy Health) Hospital. Joan loved watching sports and cheering on her teams – the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Celtics. She was also extremely proud of her Irish heritage. Her favorite saying when we would leave our many visits was “I Love You, I Love You More, I Love You Most.” As time went on she added, “I’ll Love You Always, I’ll Love You Forever.”Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, August 28 at 11 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 1935 Plymouth Rd., Grand Rapids, Rev. Leonard Sudlik presiding. Visitation will be at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Rd., SE Grand Rapids, MI 49545 on Tuesday, August 27, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm with Rosary at 7:30 pm. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Joan’s family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise of Cascade and Kindred Hospice for their guidance and excellent care given to their mother. In lieu of flowers, Joan has asked that donations be made to the Killgoar Foundation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish or Kindred Hospice.
2 Responses
Joan was such an integral part of our lives as was Bob and the family.
We have countless memories of times spent together through IHM and Catholic Central.
May she now know the fullness of God’s peace and pray for each of us as we continue to struggle on our life’s journey.
Eternal Rest , dear friend, The Passinaults
The Morrow’s and Cliffords go back about fifty years. Joan and I were in our prayer group at IHM, golf partners,bowling team(Slick Chicks) Bridge Group plus many more activities at IHM. She will be missed by her
Loving family. May God grant her eternal peace.